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We failed to maintain pressure: Dravid
"They chased the target very well and had good partnerships. They were also successful in taking many singles," the Indian vice-captain said.
Indian cricket team vice-captain Rahul Dravid admitted that good partnerships took Pakistan to victory in the fourth One-Day International played at Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
"We have to give credit to them. They chased the target very well and had good partnerships between Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq and Inzamam-ul-Haq. They were also successful in taking many singles," Dravid told mediapersons after India lost in a nail-biting finish.
Dravid, who himself did not shine much with the willow, said the hosts could not maintain the pressure in the middle overs while Pakistan held their ground and kept the score board ticking.
To a question as to why India failed to put Pakistan under pressure despite defending a 300 plus score, Dravid said, "It was a combination of things. We needed to create the pressure in the middle overs. The bowling could have been more on target and and fielding accurate."
Asked to comment on Ganguly's form and if he would still retain the number three slot, Dravid said he would not like to speculate on it and it was up to the coach and team management to decide on that.
Dravid said India's last minute fight back claiming a few wickets was a bit late and by then the visitors had already cemented their chase with sound partnerships and a key role played by captain Inzamam who saw his side through on the very last ball.
On Indian team's approach for the last two one-dayers and areas the team needed to improve, Dravid said: "In the last match in Jamshedpur we did not bat well and could not chase the target. Here we could make a good score but could not defend it. Moreover, the fielding today was not up to the mark so there is a need for improvement in all three areas."
Asked who decided to give the last over to Sachin Tendulkar, Dravid said, "All decisions are taken by the captain even though he does consult other senior players. Sachin has a lot of experience and he is not an easy bowler to play under such conditions."
He said India would not be put down with this loss and that the team would fight back in the coming two matches.
A Gujarat Cricket Association official said that both the teams were escorted to the airport amidst tight security and that they had departed from Ahmedabad.
"The two teams have left Ahmedabad. They are likely to go to Delhi first and then head towards Kanpur where the fifth One-day match would be played," the official said.
